Teaching Statistical Physics by Thinking about Models and Algorithms

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written by Jan Tobochnik and Harvey Gould

This article discusses several ways of illustrating fundamental concepts in statistical and thermal physics by considering various models and algorithms. We emphasize the importance of replacing students' incomplete mental images by models that are physically accurate. In some cases it is sufficient to discuss the results of an algorithm or the behavior of a model rather than having students write a program.

American Journal of Physics: Volume 76, Issue 4&5, Pages 353-359

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Published: April 1, 2008

Subjects	Levels	Resource Types
Mathematical Tools - Probability - Statistics Thermo & Stat Mech - Ensembles = Density of States - Kinetic and Diffusive Processes = Approach to Equilibrium - Models	- Upper Undergraduate	- Instructional Material = Curriculum support = Interactive Simulation - Reference Material

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Mirror:: https://doi.org/10.1119/1.2839094
Access Rights:: Limited free access
Restriction:: © 2008 Jan Tobochnik and Harvey Gould
DOI:: 10.1119/1.2839094
Keywords:: Metropolis algorithm, demon algorithm, molecular dynamics
Record Creator:: Metadata instance created July 14, 2008 by Anne Cox
Record Updated:: June 1, 2011 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update when Cataloged:: April 1, 2008
Other Collections:: The Open Source Physics

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Record Link

<a href="https://www.compadre.org/STP/items/detail.cfm?ID=7647">Tobochnik, Jan, and Harvey Gould. "Teaching Statistical Physics by Thinking about Models and Algorithms." Am. J. Phys. 76, no. 4&5, (April 1, 2008): 353-359.</a>

AIP Format

J. Tobochnik and H. Gould, , Am. J. Phys. 76 (4&5), 353 (2008), WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=7647&DocID=620).

AJP/PRST-PER

J. Tobochnik and H. Gould, Teaching Statistical Physics by Thinking about Models and Algorithms, Am. J. Phys. 76 (4&5), 353 (2008), <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=7647&DocID=620>.

APA Format

Tobochnik, J., & Gould, H. (2008, April 1). Teaching Statistical Physics by Thinking about Models and Algorithms. Am. J. Phys., 76(4&5), 353-359. Retrieved December 7, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=7647&DocID=620

Chicago Format

Tobochnik, Jan, and Harvey Gould. "Teaching Statistical Physics by Thinking about Models and Algorithms." Am. J. Phys. 76, no. 4&5, (April 1, 2008): 353-359, https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=7647&DocID=620 (accessed 7 December 2024).

MLA Format

Tobochnik, Jan, and Harvey Gould. "Teaching Statistical Physics by Thinking about Models and Algorithms." Am. J. Phys. 76.4&5 (2008): 353-359. 7 Dec. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=7647&DocID=620>.

BibTeX Export Format

@article{ Author = "Jan Tobochnik and Harvey Gould", Title = {Teaching Statistical Physics by Thinking about Models and Algorithms}, Journal = {Am. J. Phys.}, Volume = {76}, Number = {4&5}, Pages = {353-359}, Month = {April}, Year = {2008} }

Refer Export Format

%A Jan Tobochnik %A Harvey Gould %T Teaching Statistical Physics by Thinking about Models and Algorithms %J Am. J. Phys. %V 76 %N 4&5 %D April 1, 2008 %P 353-359 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=7647&DocID=620 %O application/pdf

EndNote Export Format

%0 Journal Article %A Tobochnik, Jan %A Gould, Harvey %D April 1, 2008 %T Teaching Statistical Physics by Thinking about Models and Algorithms %J Am. J. Phys. %V 76 %N 4&5 %P 353-359 %8 April 1, 2008 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=7647&DocID=620

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Teaching Statistical Physics by Thinking about Models and Algorithms:

Is Based On Statistical and Thermal Physics 2nd Ed. Programs

The STP Application Package contains a collection of OSP programs for the study of statistical and thermal physics concepts. This article describes some of OSP-based programs and shows how OSP-based materials can be used to study STP concepts.

relation by Anne Cox

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